Is it really safe to ingest essential oils?

Is it really safe to ingest essential oils?

Fortunately, both science and traditional aromatherapy agree on this, although some people confuse others by saying that they should not be ingested.

However, it is very clear to my family and community that they should be ingested only when they need relief from an ailment, not as a preventative measure or because they have a scent that spreads.

As we learn about essential oils and their functions from information on labels, booklets, or the Internet, we learn about proportions and whether a carrier oil is needed for dermal application or oral ingestion.

Today, it is increasingly common for people to use essential oils to relieve common ailments and for mothers to have a kit of oils for homemade first aid, but there are still doubts, questions and fear about the possibility of ingesting them.

The reality is that there is no scientific, anatomical, physiological or logical evidence to say that essential oils are dangerous for human consumption and important institutions such as the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) in North America, endorse the internal use of essential oils. In their words, “essential oils must be applied to the dermis, inhaled, diffused (inhaled through an oil diffuser) or ingested. Each of these methods has safety measures that must be taken into account” (1).

The Daily Dos and Don'ts of Essential Oils

Before we delve into the internal use of essential oils, let's clarify a few points.

 The Daily Yeses of Essential Oils:

1. Inhale essential oils through an inhaler or diffuser or by applying a drop to a moistened tissue.
2. Add essential oils to your beauty regimen (a couple of drops to your moisturizer, make healthy talcum powder with chamomile oil and cornstarch)
3. Learn the basics of essential oils (I'll provide some guidelines later in this article).
4. Enjoy: Add a drop of lemon or mandarin essential oil to a large glass of mineral water and a few drops of liquid stevia to create your healthy fizzy drink.
5. Try to learn a little more every day about the uses of essential oils (for example, in cooking recipes).

Daily Don'ts for Essential Oils:

1. Consuming essential oils for “prevention” is dangerous, as well as wasteful. Putting a drop under your tongue or diluting it in a little water just for the sake of it can irritate the esophagus and cause reflux. Daily consumption of Essential Oils EOs is not the most effective (or medicinal) way to use them.
2. Keep in mind that although essential oils are good for many conditions, each person is different and each person has certain conditions, so although peppermint essential oil is very good for indigestion and relieving nausea, for the person suffering from reflux it is not very advisable. First make sure that its use will not worsen or affect a different problem that is troubling the person who wants to consume it.
3. Believing that essential oils are the solution to everything. Although they are a powerful medicine, one must be realistic and understand that they are not the final cure for an illness. They work in conjunction with other measures that are taken into account depending on the condition or ailment.

How to use essential oils?

Inhaled

Not only is inhalation the oldest way of using it, but it is also the safest. Oils are spread throughout a room with the help of a diffuser. There are more direct ways, such as inhaling them from a vaporizer, directly from the bottle, or putting a few drops on a handkerchief. The oil volatilizes and enters directly into the respiratory system and mucous membranes thanks to dispersion by vapor or air molecules.

Topic

This is a step up from traditional inhalation, although it is familiar to us when it has been used in massages that are often done with highly aromatic oils to stimulate the senses and achieve different effects on the person undergoing this therapy. Here the oil is absorbed through the skin, so the person applying the massage must take into account the objective of the massage and, in addition, take into account whether the oils are not irritating, if a carrier oil is needed for the person's skin, or if they can be applied directly.

Oral

The basic way to ingest essential oils is through cooking. For example, to make a cake that uses cinnamon, you can replace a teaspoon of ground cinnamon with a drop of cinnamon essential oil for the entire preparation. Another use is to mix the oil into a drink, remember that oil and water don't mix, so adding a drop to water won't dilute it. Some oils are irritating and all oils are very strong so it's best to dilute them in a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil first before ingesting them.

Tips for using oils internally

1. Start by using the oils listed below that are more than approved for internal use.
2. Always use them with caution.
3. Don't overuse them: 2-3 drops at a time and wait about 4 hours before using them again.
4. Always be aware of your body's reactions, listen to it.
5. Stop use if you experience an adverse reaction.

Other useful tips:

• Mild oils such as Franckincense or Lemon can be taken a drop at a time under the tongue to quickly enter the bloodstream.
• Oils such as oregano and clove should always be diluted in a carrier oil. One drop per teaspoon is usually safe for anyone.
• Placing one or two drops in an empty capsule helps prevent irritation of the esophagus.

Culinary doses for ingesting essential oils:

• Preparing meals with essential oils is a very effective way to enjoy the health benefits as well as the taste pleasure. 1-2 drops of cilantro and coriander oil with 1-2 drops of lime goes very well in guacamole. You can try a drop of cumin oil in your curry next time you make it or 2 drops of black pepper in almost any preparation.
• Adding a drop of any citrus oil to water is very safe. Sometimes at home we mix a drop of lime or lemon with liquid stevia and then with water, either still or carbonated. Just make sure to mix the oil with the stevia first before mixing it with the water so that it dilutes and emulsifies the solution.
• Add 1 or 2 drops to your recipes.